AS TOP NAMES COMPETE FOR THE SEAT
Monrovia, Liberia – Nya Twayen of the Unity Party, People’s Unification Party’s Samuel Kogar, former Nimba senator Thomas Grupee, and Independent candidate Armstrong Gobac Selekpoh are all among the many sons of Nimba who are seeking to replace vice president Jeremiah Kpan Koung.
The seat became vacant when the former senator contested as vice candidate for current Liberian president, Joseph Nyumah Boakai Sr. Vice President Koung was a junior senator to Nimba County long serving senator and former warlord, Prince Y. Johnson.
Senator Prince Johnson, the self-proclaimed “godfather” of the county, has threatened not to back the Unity Party’s nominee and has expressed his displeasure at not being able to influence selections made by the ruling party, making this particularly important. The idea of creating the War and Economic Crimes Court serves to reinforce this feeling.
In the 2023 Senate race, NYA TWAYEN of the Unity Party received over 55,000 votes, placing second behind winner Senator Johnson.
The political advantage of tenure is favoring the former deputy director of the National Social Security and Welfare Cooperation (NASSCORP). Since about four months ago, the Unity Party has ruled, and Vice President Koung personally selected him.
As Twayen was selected by Koung himself to succeed him, it is being noted that the government is likely to use all of its resources to guarantee Twayen’s victory in the election.
In addition to his advantages as the incumbent, Twayen leads the field on the problems listed in his platform. Politicians from rival political parties appear to be reaching out to Twayen and joining his campaign staff. He has been making promises of one kind or another to these resentful politicians. He has succeeded in winning over men to his cause, but the question now is whether or not these guys will cast ballots on election day.
Grupee’s platform as a former senator is based on his pledge to do far more than he did during his first term. Furthermore, he is well known for being polite, modest, and disciplined.
Grupee is now aware that he needs Senator Johnson’s backing in order to win an election in Nimba County. Senator Johnson exhibited all the characteristics of “godfatherism” in Grupee’s victory, from labeling him a “political nobody” in 2011 after his return to the nation from the United States of America to helping him overcome Edith Gongloe-Weh, the superintendent in place at the time.
Grupee broke with Senator Johnson three years into his nine-year term as a senator, and it was always certain that his re-election would be in jeopardy. Additionally, Koung won the 2020 senatorial election with the support of powerful Senator Johnson.
As the first legislator in Nimba County to defeat Senator Johnson and win three straight elections, Samuel Kogar retains the record. From the same town of GOMAPLAY in District Five, he seems to be a man of the people because he has impacted the lives of some of the impoverished and young people in the area.
One political analyst evaluated the lawmaker’s prospects, “It feels like he will win in District Five but won’t be able to win the county.” Kogar, a three-term legislator, is also thought to be popular with the general public. He is regarded as a politician who is “street smart” as well.
ARMSTRONG GOBAC SELEKPOH, INDEPENDENT is running for office a second time, having previously lost his bids in 2023 to run for senator and representative of District Three. Selekpoh support from the people is very important. He has been receiving support lately from a number of organizations spread throughout the county’s many corners.
Since he claimed that Senator Johnson of Nimba County had asked for money from him in order to name him as the chair of the county’s Project Management Committee, he has been a vocal opponent of the senator.
